Compositions and methods for rapidly generating recombinant nucleic acid molecules

Abstract

A method of generating a double stranded (ds) recombinant nucleic acid molecule covalently linked in both strands by contacting two or more ds nucleotide sequences with a topoisomerase under conditions such that both termini of at least one end of a first ds nucleotide sequence are covalently linked by the topoisomerase to both termini of at least one end of a second ds nucleotide sequence is provided. Also provided is a method for generating a ds recombinant nucleic acid molecule covalently linked in one strand, by contacting two or more ds nucleotide sequences with a type IA topoisomerase under conditions such that one strand, but not both strands, of one or both ends of a first ds nucleotide sequence are covalently linked by the topoisomerase. Compositions for performing such methods, and compositions generated from such methods also are provided, as are kits containing components useful for conveniently practicing the methods.

Description

[0001]This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of U.S. Ser. No. 60 / 254,510, filed Dec. 8, 2000, and U.S. Ser. No. 60 / 326,092, filed Sep. 28, 2001, the entire contents of each of which is incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The invention relates generally to compositions and methods for facilitating the construction of recombinant nucleic acid molecules, and more specifically to compositions for using one or more topoisomerases to generate covalently closed recombinant nucleic acid molecules and to methods of making such recombinant nucleic acid molecules.[0004]2. Background Information[0005]The advent of recombinant DNA technology has allowed the cloning and identification of genes from many different organisms, and the determination of the complete genomes of an ever-increasing number of organisms, including humans. The elucidation of a large number of new and uncharacterized genes creates a pressing nee...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0031]In another embodiment, a method for generating a ds recombinant nucleic acid molecule covalently linked in one strand can be performed by contacting 1) a first ds nucleotide sequence having a first end and a second end, wherein a site-specific topoisomerase (e.g., a type IA or type II topoisomerase) is bound at the 5′ terminus of the first end, the second end, or both the first end and the second end; 2) at least a second ds nucleotide sequence that has, or can be made to have, a first end and a second end; wherein a site-specific topoisomerase (e.g., a type IA or type II topoisomerase) can be bound at the 5′ terminus of the first end, the second end, or both the first end and the second end; and 3) at least a third ds nucleotide sequence that has, or can be made to have, a first end and a second end, wherein a site-specific topoisomerase (e.g., a type IA or type II topoisomerase) can be bound at the 5′ terminus of the first end, the second end, or both the first end and the second end; under conditions such that all components are in contact and the at least one topoisomerase can effect its activity. For example, the type IA topoisomerase can be E. coli topoisomerase I, E. coli topoisomerase III, or a eukaryotic topoisomerase III. The ds nucleotide sequences can include 3′ overhanging sequences, 5′ overhanging sequences, or can be blunt ended, or can have various combinations of such ends, which can facilitate directional linkage.

[0076]Such a kit is useful, for example, for generating a ds recombinant nucleic acid molecule covalently linked in both strands, or a ds recombinant nucleic acid molecule covalently linked in one strand, encoding chimeric polypeptides for performing a two hybrid assay. The kit can further contain a primer pair, which can amplify a nucleotide sequence to be operatively linked to the first or second ds nucleotide sequence, wherein at least one primer of the primer pair comprises a topoisomerase recognition site, a complement of a topoisomerase recognition site, or both. Preferably, an amplification product generated using such a primer pair contains, following cleavage by a site-specific topoisomerase, a 3′ or 5′ overhanging sequence that is complementary to the first or second ds nucleotide sequence to which it is to be covalently linked. Such a kit can facilitate the generation of recombinant polynucleotides that comprise a first or second nucleotide sequence of the kit and encode a chimeric polypeptide useful for performing a two hybrid assay.

Problems solved by technology

A significant bottleneck in recombinant DNA methodology is the requirement that each nucleic acid sequence that is to be used to prepare a construct must be cloned into a vector, the vector must be introduced into and amplified in a host cell (generally a bacterial cell), the amplified vector must be isolated from the host cell, and then must be transformed or transfected into the appropriate cell type for expression.

However, such vectors are limited in that only the most commonly used elements such as particularly useful promoters or tags or the like can be included in the vectors in order for the vector to be commercially viable.

However, such constructs effectively contain “nicks” at the sites of hybridization and, therefore, are more susceptible to endonuclease degradation than covalently linked sequences.

Furthermore, constructs containing nicks are not suitable for certain further manipulations such as amplification by a polymerase chain reaction.

Images